Published: August 07, 2008 05:33 pm            

Top Notch Tumblers win gold at Junior Olympics

Novi, Mich. — The recent addition of trampoline into the summer Olympic games has sparked interest in the fast growing sport of power tumbling. Power tumbling is the newest discipline in gymnastics where elements of artistic gymnastics are combined with trampolining.

Seven members of the Top Notch Gymnastics Academy power tumbling team recently competed in the 2008 National Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympic Games in Novi, Michigan. The tumblers, many outscoring their personal bests, brought home nine gold medals, five silver medals, three bronze medals, seven coveted Kentucky State Association awards, and three esteemed All-American awards. Each member of the team earned at least one gold medal, and all seven gymnasts placed in the top ten in all of their events.

The gymnasts competed in their respective age categories and skill levels against top athletes in the nation in three events: tumbling, trampoline, and double-mini trampoline. Tumbling is performed on an elevated spring runway and is made up of one or two passes containing a certain number of skills determined by skill level. Top-level tumblers will perform a series of explosive somersaults with multiple twists. Trampoline consists of a ten skill pass executing various acrobatic maneuvers such as flipping and twisting while demonstrating height, poise, and control. Double-mini trampoline is an event that combines elements of both tumbling and trampoline. The gymnasts run, propel onto a two-level mini trampoline, and perform two connected skills before dismounting onto a landing mat.

At Junior Olympics, association awards are presented to athletes receiving the two highest scores in their skill level in which their state wins the first, second, or third place top team award for that event. Kentucky received the third place top team awards for both trampoline and double-mini. All-American awards are given to the highest level advanced athletes attaining the top three scores out of all age groups in a particular event.

Individual accomplishments for the Top Notch tumblers competing in the 2008 Junior Olympic Games are listed below.

Kendall Burgess, age 5, placed first in sub-beginner tumbling, and second for both beginner trampoline and beginner double-mini. Kendall received an association award for double-mini and had the highest overall score for sub-beginner tumbling.

Morgan Burgess, age 9, competed at the intermediate level in all three events and brought home two gold medals for the second straight year. Morgan placed first in tumbling, first in trampoline, and second in double-mini. Morgan also earned association awards for trampoline and double-mini, and achieved the highest overall score for intermediate tumbling.

Izabella Gervacio, age 8, competing at the intermediate level in all three events, placed first in double-mini, third in trampoline, and fourth in tumbling. She received an association award for double-mini and had the highest overall score for intermediate double-mini. Izabella is also a member of the 2007 Stars of Tomorrow team.

Kaden Gervacio, age 9, is a first year power tumbler. Kaden competed in two events at the intermediate level. He placed first in double-mini and third in trampoline.

Breanna Meeks, age 15, won the gold medal in advanced trampoline for the second straight year. She also placed first in advanced tumbling and third in advanced double-mini. Breanna received association awards for trampoline and double-mini and All-American awards for trampoline and tumbling. She is a member of the 2007 AAU National Team and the 2008 USTA National Team.

Leanza Pieroni, age 12, won first place in intermediate tumbling, sixth place in sub-advanced trampoline, and ninth place in sub-advanced double-mini. She received association awards for trampoline and double-mini. Leanza is a member of the 2007 AAU National Team and is the current USTA sub-advanced trampoline national champion in her division.

Kara Spencer, age 14, competed at the advanced level in all three events and placed first in tumbling, second in trampoline, and second in double-mini. Kara was also presented with the prestigious All-American award for tumbling. Kara is a member of the 2007 AAU National Team and the 2008 USTA National Team.

Top Notch Gymnastics Academy offers both recreational and competitive power tumbling. Top Notch Gymnastics Academy is located in Tradewinds Shopping Center. The power tumbling team is coached by Tammy Spencer, Jennifer Burgess, and Suzette Works.

        

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